RICHMOND (KCBS)— Members of several investigative agencies provided an update on the Chevron Refinery fire for residents of the West County community on Monday.

Things became tense when some people claimed they were getting misinformation about the toxicity of the black cloud that drifted for miles on Monday, August 6th.

Residents demanded answers about the fire and were concerned about possible long-term health effects.

A sense of fear remains, among some residents about the smoke and fire that sent more than 14,000 people to local hospitals.

KCBS’ Dave Padilla Reports:

EPA Weighs In On Chevron Refinery Fire, Addresses Richmond Community

One resident mentioned what he called the “little 37th Street clinic” and said it was completely full.

Dan Meer from the Environmental Protection Agency cautioned that the investigation is still in the early stages. He also dealt with questions about accountability and possible punishment.

“I would like to be able to give you the hardest of hard information and I will tell you this— if Chevron violated the law as far as EPA is concerned, we will prosecute to the fullest extent that we can,” said Meer.

No one from Chevron spoke, but some investigators from the deadly British Petroleum off-shore oil rig fire that contaminated the Gulf Coast have been brought into this investigation.

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